Culver Community Church
Pastor Chris Sweeney
Sermon Notes
November 18, 2018
Matthew 22:15 - 22 Who Do I Owe?
{vs. 15} Still hurting from the truth of those three parables (a parabolic beat-down?), the religious leaders continue to challenge Jesus. It was most likely the Sadducees who asked about Jesus’ authority – after all they (including their own High Priest – not God’s) ruled over the temple enclosure and all that happened there (yes, the merchants or thieves, the procedures of worship and even who received papers of authority, allowing them to teach on the grounds). Today we look at the first question of this Pharisaic challenge. We know, because of who they are, that their questions will have to do with the Law and the observance and breaking of it. Notice that they want to trap Him in His words – getting Him on the record, so that they could use those statements when they put Him on trial. As it is, they used partial quotes and things taken out of context against Him, delivered by perjurers, outright liars and men of low moral character at those illegal mockeries of justice called trials!
{vs. 16} So, they go off into a huddle and plan their next attack. Sending the low men on the totem pole – their disciples, as if they were afraid to be shown up once again by Jesus. Also, they could probably not stomach to say those nice words - - - nor would anyone believe it if they could get them out!
Notice however, how this Jesus problem, this plot has made strange bedfellows. The Herodians were a group of Jews who supported Herod’s rule (Antipas) and even sought a way to put that wicked man (or a member of his family) onto a reimagined Davidic throne. Bottom line – they favored submitting to the Herods, and therefore to Rome, for political expediency which in the Pharisees minds made them anti-Jewish independence and pro-ungodly lawbreakers. The Pharisees were strongly anti-Rome and Herod. These two groups could not agree on anything – for them to be working together was a major compromise of the Pharisees ethics – it’s amazing how deeply-held convictions and integrity can go flying out the window with the right motivation!
As they come to Jesus they actually testify on His behalf, trying to ‘butter Him up’ or to get Jesus to relax and be caught off guard. However insincere they might have been, what a thing for your enemies to say about you! We know of Your integrity (unlike our own). We know that you are no respecter of persons and that you cannot be moved by pressure from outside groups! And finally, we know that You teach the way, the truth of God uncompromisingly! Although they did not mean it – everything they said was absolutely true! Now think for a moment, those family members that give you grief at the holiday gatherings, those neighbors and those people at work - would they, could they say something like this about you?
{vs. 17} So, once they say “I know You’ll tell us the God’s-Honest-truth”, they ask for His judgement on the question of taxes. I’ll save you the platitude about death and taxes, but I think we all know that no one likes taxes! Well, let me correct that – lately, it seems like there is no new tax that California voters won’t approve. Really, everyone knows that taxes are necessary – the government won’t be able to do all those wonderful things it does (or anything else) without the money to pay for it all. We know from personal experience – taxes are necessary (and alright) - - - as long as I’m not the one paying them! Something that we need to understand is that in Jesus day the people were heavily taxed. You and I may complain about the various taxes we are hit with, but these Jews were getting hit by Rome, by Herod, forced to help or supply any soldier who demanded it, and by the various temple tithes, offerings for widows and orphans, etc. Added all up – it becomes burdensome! After all, no matter what your tax or my tax is . . . isn’t it always too much? What made all this even more unfair was the obvious corrupt nature of those collecting the taxes. The rulers of the temple were bilking the people, the secular tax collectors like Matthew (traitors to their own people) were overcharging and keeping the balance and they all seemed to be getting rich - - - off the backs of the common man! This question omits all of the religious duties, taxes and offerings and focuses only on the Roman taxation – because there was a hidden catch that they hoped to snag Jesus on.
{vs. 18} Jesus saw right through their question and their plot and called them out on it! I don’t know what image you have in your mind of Jesus (meek and mild, full of peace and gentleness?) but we need to see this for what it is! Jesus looked them straight in the faces and called them hypocrites and said “I know what you are doing!” He ruffled all their feathers and the crowd would have reacted – a little shocked, a little surprised and with a little laughter (at the leaders expense!) In this, He also confirmed what they had said about Him!
The trap was well thought out and well played. It would have been more than enough to trap any rabbi in an corner with no way out, but they were not up against a mere man – this is Jesus! You see, if Jesus would have answered like many in the crowd would have liked “No, don’t pay Caesar!” – then they would have painted Him as a insurrectionist and been running over to the nearest Roman guard (today, they would have the garrison’s tip line on speed dial!) This would have rushed the ultimate outcome and thrown God’s plan and timing off! This potential answer was, in part, why the Herodians came along for the test. They supported Herod and by extension Rome’s occupation. They would cry foul at this answer and be the first to report Jesus’ words – and since they were trusted (partially trusted) supporters, Herod would be more likely to believe them and more likely to send a squad of soldiers to arrest Him.
However, if Jesus had answered the opposite way – “yes, pay them” and maybe thrown in “and stop complaining about it” – the people who resented Rome and its soldiers and the taxation which paid for them would have been displeased. These taxes did not only pay for soldiers however, if you are fortunate enough to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land you will see some of those structures like the aqueduct in Caesarea or the roads, which have stood (at least partially stand) for more than two thousand years! These taxes in general and the particular one asked about (the head tax – one denarius or days wage for every person) bothered the religious Jews because in their scripture and history God made it clear to be counted was an acknowledgement that you were under the rule or control of the king or government counting. They also had a really bad experience – the plague David started (2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21).
This affirmative answer would have reinforced the vague fear that Jesus was not concerned with Rome and was fighting their own religious system (remember He came and ‘attacked the temple’ not what they saw as the ‘real’ enemy (Rome). We know this was a hot topic because they had previous insurrections about it and guess what the revolt started in 66 AD, which resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD) was about? A simple ‘Yes’ answer might have cleared out the followers faster than the “eat my flesh” teaching after Jesus fed the five thousand!
{vs. 19-21} At this point they must have been excited – He called us out on our trap . . . but He is going to answer anyway! Can’t you just see them scrambling to get Him a denarius! This by the way was part of their objection to the tax – they hated this coin which bore the image of Caesar, who claimed to be a god (little ‘g’). In the Jewish mind, this was a graven image! When Pilate first came to Palestine, he came in with all of the Roman pomp and drama and set up shields with Caesar’s image on them and the religious Jews immediately held a five-day protest, willing to die for the cause - - - so Pilate relented and removed the images. Even today, there are certain areas of the Holy Land and certain orthodox Jews who will not permit photographs (they will try to stone you!) – because of the prohibition of graven images!
Jesus asks them about the image and they don’t see any harm in the question, so they answer. They might have even started to assume that Jesus was going to raise their own objections to the coin and image. I imagine that they probably answered in unison with the crowd – “Caesar’s!”
Here is where their well thought out trap goes south! They could not predict this answer and they had no response to it! What Jesus is saying with a masterful illustration is that Rome (and Caesar) are providing services, even the coin is from them – those services put requirements on you – pay them! The word Jesus used, which the NIV very appropriately translates give back (render or give in other versions) literally means “pay back” or “give back” pointing out the fact that the coin is his and it should be returned. When they asked the question, they used a different word – one that is used for general giving (like a gift). It would be hard to think of our April 16th tax payments as gifts to the government!
Here Jesus also makes them aware of what is more important – that we also have received from God (life, services, gifts – everything that we are or ever will be!) and we owe a debt to Him! This is a debt that can never be repaid – from what funds or value could you begin to give back to Him? Everything you have came from above and You are simply giving a portion of what you received back to the Source! This is true for us today! Do you know that there are Christian groups who claim that believers should not pay taxes? Many (but not all) are hunkered down in some shelter somewhere with lots of food and ammunition. Jesus’ teaching does not allow for this! He takes the position that all government, all authority is established by God (Daniel 2:21; Romans 13:1) – they cannot rise and do not fall without God’s notice and permission! All governments, even bad or evil governments have received their power from God because all power belongs to Him! They may misuse it and do things He has forbidden – but as far as God’s children are concerned, we need to respect and obey. That is until an authority or government tries to overthrow or contradict God’s authority. We have the right and the responsibility to disobey when directed to break God’s higher laws – but be sure that is the case and be ready to pay the price! Many a believer and Old Testament prophet has become a martyr by following God’s will, contrary to the will of men!
So pay what you owe – to God first, and then to government (and all other authorities – like the boss, your parents, etc. etc.) Not because it’s always fair, or because you want to – but because God/Jesus commands it!